Detachable side panel for beds



oseph A! Wolfe, Seattle, Wash.

" rrAppli'cationyMarch 10, 1937;,iSerial-No.130,038

' f2 Claims, (ore-331) This: invention relates to a'readily attachable and'detachable sidepanelfora bed andithe primary objects of this invention are to provide' a sidepanel of 'thi-snaiture which is very simple and inexpensive in construction, which is strong, substantial and efficient in operation, which is neat in appearance and light in weight, and one which may very quickly and easily be attached to or detached from a bed of the usual standard type of construction.

Another object of this invention is to provide a side panel of this nature which is adjustable to fit beds of varying lengths within the limited range ordinarily encountered.

Another object is to-provide a readily attachable and detachable side panel which is especially well adapted for use in connection with hospital beds or like beds occupied by invalids.

Other and more specific objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing,

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of a side panel constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a similar view in elevation, showing the panel applied to a bed.

Fig. 3 is a sectional View, on a larger scale than Figs. 1 and 2, taken substantially on broken line 3-3 of Fi 2.

Fig. 4 is a detached perspective view of a bed rail engaging member embodied in the invention.

Like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawing, I show a rectangular panel, preferably comprising a top rail 5, a bottom rail 6, two upright end rails I and 8 and a plurality of upright rungs 9. Preferably this panel is constructed of relatively light, strong material, such as a good grade of wood, but it will be obvious that various materials may be used and that the form of construction of the panel may be varied. The panel is slighty shorter than the distance between the head and foot portion of the shortest bed with which it is adapted to be used. Each end rail I and 8 is provided about midway between the upper and lower end thereof with a transverse hole I0 extending in a direction parallel to the plane of the panel. A straight shank I I of a hook member I2 is slidably disposed in each hole III. Each hook member I2 preferably has a rubber tube I3 telescoped thereover to serve as a padding means and prevent scratching and injury to the bed part with which it comes in contact.- A compression spring I4 is provided on each shank I I inside of; the rail I. or 8 a d u and w sher. means,- 5.o.n t einner end of the}.shan l 1 .ll isprovided for engagement by the end of the compression spring I I. This arrangement provides hooks which may be moved outwardly to engage with the upright posts l9 and 20 of the head and foot portions respectively of a bed. Also it provides means for resiliently urging the hooks inwardly into engagement with 10 the bed posts I9 and 20.

Two bed rail engaging members are slidably mounted on the lowermost corner portions of the panel. Each bed rail engaging member comprises a straight shank portion I6, an outwardly l5 projecting horizontal portion I'I adapted to rest on the top portion of the side rail 2| of a bed and a downwardly projecting portion I8 adapted to engage the inside of the side rail of the bed and prevent the bottom portion of the panel from 20 being pushed outwardly. The horizontal portions I! support the panel vertically on the side rail 2I of the bed. Preferably a tubular rubber padding member 22 is telescoped over the portions I8 and I1 to prevent scratching and marring of the side 25 rail 2I with which these portions engage. The straight shank portion I6 of each bed rail engaging member is slidable telescopically in a combined support and guide member 23 which is secured to the bottom rail 6 of the panel adjacent 30 the end thereof. A stop member 24 is provided on the inner end portion of each shank I6 to prevent complete disengagement of the bed rail engaging member from the support and guide 23. The bed rail engaging members are adjust- 35 able longitudinally so that they may be moved to engage with different locations on bed rails and thus avoid interference with obstructions adjacent the ends of said bed rails.

In the use of this device, the panel is very 40 quickly and easily applied to a bed by hooking the bed rail engaging members over the side rail ZI of a bed and then moving the hooks I2 outwardly and engaging them with the bed posts I 9 and 20. The springs I I retract the hook mem- 45 hers I I-I2 as soon as said hook members are released. These springs take up all slack and prevent accidental disengagement of the hooks.

This side panel is very quickly and easily applied to, or disengaged from, a bed. It is of 50 especial advantage in hospitals and for use on beds occupied by sick persons where there is danger of the patient rolling or falling out of bed, but it may be applied to substantially any bed having the usual side rails and upright foot and 55 head portion. It is applicable to either side of a bed.

Obviously the size and shape of the panel and other parts may be varied. I find for ordinary use that it is satisfactory to make the panel about sixteen inches wide and about six and onehalf feet long and to provide for from four to six inches movement of each hook member "-42.

The foregoing description and accompanying drawing clearly disclose a preferred embodiment of my invention but it will be understood that this disclosure is merely illustrative and that such changes in the invention may be made as are fairly within the scope and spirit of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a readily attachable and detachable side panel for a bed, a substantially rectangular panel member; two bed rail engaging members longitudinally adjustably connected with said panel member adjacent the lowermost corners of said panel member adapted to engage with and rest upon a side rail of a bed adjacent the respective foot and head portions of the bed; two hook members longitudinally adjustably connected with the respective end portions of the panel above the bed rail engaging members and positioned to engage with the upright posts at the head portion and foot portion respectively of a bed; and springs connected with said hook members permitting outward movement of said hook members and. yieldingly urging said hook members into retracted position.

2. In a readily attachable and detachable side panel for a bed; a substantially rectangular panel member; two bed rail engaging members connected with said panel member adjacent the lowermost corners thereof and adapted to rest upon and engage with the side rail of a bed; and two hook members connected with the respective end portions of said panel member above said bed rail engaging members and positioned to engage respectively the upright head portion and the upright foot portion of a bed, at least one of said hook members being longitudinally movable and resiliently urged into a retracted position.

JOSEPH A. WOLFE. 

